The Nearest International Airport is Capodichino (code NAP) [http://www.gesac.it/en/]. Once you have arrived, you'll have to take one of the methods listed below to cover the final leg of the journey.

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The nearest International Airport is Naples Capodichino (code NAP) [http://www.gesac.it/en/]. Once you have arrived, you'll have to take one of the methods listed below to cover the final leg of the journey.

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From the airport you can take a bus for 3 Euros (called Alibus) to Stazione Centrale (get off here for connections to Salerno via Train). It also stops on Piazza Municipio near the ferry port, from which you can take a 5 minute walk to catch the Bus (SITA). The route is not obvious, so see the section below.

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From the airport you can take a bus for €3 (called Alibus) to Stazione Centrale in Naples (get off here for connections to Salerno via train). It also stops on Piazza Municipio near the ferry port, from which you can take a 5-minute walk to catch the Bus (SITA). The route is not obvious, so see the section below.

You can buy your ticket on the Alibus, and you can get to it by walking right out of the airport terminal to the bus stop which is less than 20 metres from the airport terminal exit.

You can buy your ticket on the Alibus, and you can get to it by walking right out of the airport terminal to the bus stop which is less than 20 metres from the airport terminal exit.

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From Naples Airport there is a SITA bus running directly to Salerno (Euros 7). This bus runs only 4 times a day, and not on Sunday. You have to walk some 300 meters to reach the bus-

===By train===

===By train===

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The main station is Piazza Garibaldi Station. You will have to walk a short distance to get to the station building. It's best to keep your valuables out of sight and well under supervision, as the area surrounding the train station is one of the most disreputable in all Italy. The city is trying to clear it up, but they are still quite a long way from the target.

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From Napoli Central or Piazza Garibaldi you can easily reach Salerno by train. The regional trains ticket to Salerno costs around €3-€4 and it's called U-5 Unico Campania. Other trains are more expensive and cost around 7-10 euros.

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Once you arrive at the station there are ticket machines that you can use to buy a ticket, or you can queue up for assistance at any of the ticket counters. A train ticket should cost you around 5 Euros per person.

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If you can speak Italian, you can also book a ticket online, and can collect it from the ticket machine when you arrive.

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===By rental car===

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===BY RENTAL CAR===

Theoretically, you can rent a car to cover the last stretch of the journey, but in all honesty it's probably better to reserve this option for second (or third) visits to the area if you are used to driving in Northern Europe or the US. The reason for this is that driving habits in this area of Italy have developed in a sort of local micro climate - most cars drift around on the motorway hovering between two or three lanes, most drivers talk and gesticulate instead of driving, and if you don't keep up with the traffic flow, you are likely to find someone tailgating you within 30 seconds or so.

Theoretically, you can rent a car to cover the last stretch of the journey, but in all honesty it's probably better to reserve this option for second (or third) visits to the area if you are used to driving in Northern Europe or the US. The reason for this is that driving habits in this area of Italy have developed in a sort of local micro climate - most cars drift around on the motorway hovering between two or three lanes, most drivers talk and gesticulate instead of driving, and if you don't keep up with the traffic flow, you are likely to find someone tailgating you within 30 seconds or so.

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If you need any more convincing, take a look at the cars when you arrive in the area. There is a prize if you can spot one without dents. Dents and rental cars don't mix well. I rest my case.

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If you need any more convincing, take a look at the cars when you arrive in the area. There is a prize if you can spot one without dents. Dents and rental cars don't mix well.

===By bus===

===By bus===

Line 47:

Line 45:

You should ask the way to the "SITA" (the name of the bus company that provides the service). If you stand where the bus stops, and face the sea (with the tall castle to your right), you will need to cross the main road and head towards the left. After about 400 meters or so, you will see a small congregation of buses to your right. Check the destination written on the bus, or you can ask for "Salerno".

You should ask the way to the "SITA" (the name of the bus company that provides the service). If you stand where the bus stops, and face the sea (with the tall castle to your right), you will need to cross the main road and head towards the left. After about 400 meters or so, you will see a small congregation of buses to your right. Check the destination written on the bus, or you can ask for "Salerno".

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The service is quite rapid for the first part of the journey, but then will leave the motorway and take a more tortuous route. The journey should take an hour so so. The ticket should cost between 3 and 4 Euros per person.

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The service is quite rapid for the first part of the journey, but then will leave the motorway and take a more tortuous route. The journey should take an hour so so. The ticket should cost between €3 and €4 per person.

For further journeys there is a regional ticket that allows you to travel with the bus (timed limit) or train (one journey): see [[Campania#Get around|Campania Unico]].

For further journeys there is a regional ticket that allows you to travel with the bus (timed limit) or train (one journey): see [[Campania#Get around|Campania Unico]].

Line 57:

Line 55:

===By boat===

===By boat===

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====From the Amalfi coast====

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====To and From the Amalfi Coast====

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* The Coop Sant'Andrea company [http://www.coopsantandrea.com] operate the ferry service for the Amalfi Coast, with services debuting every year from Easter weekend. Connections are to and between and return '''Salerno''', '''Positano''' and '''Amalfi'''. In summer, the routes extend to '''Maiori''' and '''Minori'''. This is a much better way of enjoying the journey, and you will arrive with a smile on your face as it is very relaxing.

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There is a ferry that runs in the summer months from [[Positano]], [[Amalfi]] and sometimes [[Minori]]. This is a much better way of enjoying the journey, and you will arrive with a smile on your face.

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[[Amalfi]] forms a hub of the sea routes along the [[Amalfi Coast]] and you can find more complete information about the routes available [[Amalfi#By Boat|Here]].

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Amalfi forms a hub of the sea routes along the Amalfi Coast and you can find more complete information about all the routes available at http://coopsantandrea.com

* '''Yacht charter in Salerno and Amalfi Coast ''' [http://www.windward-islands.net] Windward Islands, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to luxury yacht in Salerno, Naples and Amalfi Coast.

* '''Yacht charter in Salerno and Amalfi Coast ''' [http://www.windward-islands.net] Windward Islands, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to luxury yacht in Salerno, Naples and Amalfi Coast.

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==Buy==

==Buy==

Line 79:

Line 78:

*'''Il Vicolo della Neve''' one of the oldest restaurant in Salerno, located in the historic center. Pizza is served here, but they are also famous for their "pasta e fagioli" (pasta with beans).

*'''Il Vicolo della Neve''' one of the oldest restaurant in Salerno, located in the historic center. Pizza is served here, but they are also famous for their "pasta e fagioli" (pasta with beans).

*'''Donna Margherita''' a very good pizzeria, serving also fish dishes. Not very expensive, with high quality.

*'''Donna Margherita''' a very good pizzeria, serving also fish dishes. Not very expensive, with high quality.

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*'''Il Caminetto'''''one of the best restaurants in the center of Salerno in terms of quality, you can get local fish specialties or a very good pizza, and the price is minimal. Great for families.

*'''Il Brigante''' serves mainly vegetable-based dishes. If you want to try local food, try the polpo! The food is basic but good and prices are low.

*'''Il Brigante''' serves mainly vegetable-based dishes. If you want to try local food, try the polpo! The food is basic but good and prices are low.

Line 84:

Line 84:

==Sleep==

==Sleep==

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*<sleep name="Furore Inn Resort & Spa" alt="185mt above sea level" address="Via Croce - Piazza Sant'Elia" directions="From Amalfi direction Agerola" phone="+390898304711" url="www.furoreinn.it" checkin="14:00" checkout="12.00" price="220,00€" lat="40°36'58.5" long="14°32'53.34">Furore Inn Resort a new romantic retreat on the Amalfi Coast, on the hills between Amalfi and Positano. It is the place where one can live and enjoy a new experience, be it holiday and adventure, fitness and well-being, music and silence, recreation and meditation, with no limits, except your own fantasy.</sleep>

Contents

Understand

Salerno is the principal town of the province with the same name, and today numbers around 145,000 inhabitants. For a brief period (February to August 1944) Salerno was the capital city of Italy, during the liberation after the allied landings before the fall of Monte Cassino to the allies and the subsequent liberation of Rome.

Today it is a lively port town, that is rapidly re-acquiring a relaxing and open Mediterranean atmosphere. The port area itself is not particularly attractive, but once you get onto the promenade things get better. Worth a visit also is the Historical Old Town, which has in recent years recovered from being a virtual no-go area to being one of the best preserved historical town centers, full of tiny little passageways and hidden corners.

Salerno was the birthplace of the "Schola Medica Salernitana" in the ninth century, which was the most important source of medical information in Europe at the time, and provided an important impulse to medical learning in Europe.

Also worth a visit if you happen to be in the area are Vietri sul Mare, for the traditional ceramics, Cava de' Tirreni for the important Abbey at La Badia and one of the few remaining Portici in Campania.

Get in

By Plane

The nearest International Airport is Naples Capodichino (code NAP) [1]. Once you have arrived, you'll have to take one of the methods listed below to cover the final leg of the journey.

From the airport you can take a bus for €3 (called Alibus) to Stazione Centrale in Naples (get off here for connections to Salerno via train). It also stops on Piazza Municipio near the ferry port, from which you can take a 5-minute walk to catch the Bus (SITA). The route is not obvious, so see the section below.

You can buy your ticket on the Alibus, and you can get to it by walking right out of the airport terminal to the bus stop which is less than 20 metres from the airport terminal exit.

From Naples Airport there is a SITA bus running directly to Salerno (Euros 7). This bus runs only 4 times a day, and not on Sunday. You have to walk some 300 meters to reach the bus-

By train

From Napoli Central or Piazza Garibaldi you can easily reach Salerno by train. The regional trains ticket to Salerno costs around €3-€4 and it's called U-5 Unico Campania. Other trains are more expensive and cost around 7-10 euros.

BY RENTAL CAR

Theoretically, you can rent a car to cover the last stretch of the journey, but in all honesty it's probably better to reserve this option for second (or third) visits to the area if you are used to driving in Northern Europe or the US. The reason for this is that driving habits in this area of Italy have developed in a sort of local micro climate - most cars drift around on the motorway hovering between two or three lanes, most drivers talk and gesticulate instead of driving, and if you don't keep up with the traffic flow, you are likely to find someone tailgating you within 30 seconds or so.

If you need any more convincing, take a look at the cars when you arrive in the area. There is a prize if you can spot one without dents. Dents and rental cars don't mix well.

By bus

From Naples

Be aware that you have to cross the road here, and that traffic in Naples follows unwritten rules that are not accessible to foreigners (or even some Italians). Red traffic lights don't always stop the traffic (the locals know the 'important' traffic lights, and will stop at these). Mopeds regularly leave the road and drive on any other surface they can find. Follow the locals, and you should be OK.

You should ask the way to the "SITA" (the name of the bus company that provides the service). If you stand where the bus stops, and face the sea (with the tall castle to your right), you will need to cross the main road and head towards the left. After about 400 meters or so, you will see a small congregation of buses to your right. Check the destination written on the bus, or you can ask for "Salerno".

The service is quite rapid for the first part of the journey, but then will leave the motorway and take a more tortuous route. The journey should take an hour so so. The ticket should cost between €3 and €4 per person.

For further journeys there is a regional ticket that allows you to travel with the bus (timed limit) or train (one journey): see Campania Unico.

From the Amalfi coast

You can catch a bus from the amalfi coast to Salerno, which runs along the winding roads of the coastline. The drivers are very experienced and swing effortlessly round the curves (they don't have special powers to see round corners, if you look closely, there are mirrors at strategic points). In the height of summer expect long delays, as tourist cars and buses tend to get overwhelmed by the road, and vice versa. Much better to go by boat. (See below).

By boat

To and From the Amalfi Coast

The Coop Sant'Andrea company [2] operate the ferry service for the Amalfi Coast, with services debuting every year from Easter weekend. Connections are to and between and return Salerno, Positano and Amalfi. In summer, the routes extend to Maiori and Minori. This is a much better way of enjoying the journey, and you will arrive with a smile on your face as it is very relaxing.

Amalfi forms a hub of the sea routes along the Amalfi Coast and you can find more complete information about all the routes available at http://coopsantandrea.com

Get around

See

The Duomo of Salerno is amazing to see. Build in 12th century, it is a peaceful place.
At night, you can take a walk at the Lungomare, a boulavard with palmtrees and a nice view at the sea and the surrounding hills.
The Villa Communale is an oasis of green at the centre of the city. Big plants, giant flowers, lots of spaces to sit. If you're quiet enough, you will hear the music boxes sing their beautiful song.

Do

Yacht charter in Salerno and Amalfi Coast [3] Windward Islands, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to luxury yacht in Salerno, Naples and Amalfi Coast.

Buy

Eat

There are several good restaurants in Salerno and nearby, offering a wide range of food. In the center of the town, if you're looking for pizza you can go to:

Il Vicolo della Neve one of the oldest restaurant in Salerno, located in the historic center. Pizza is served here, but they are also famous for their "pasta e fagioli" (pasta with beans).

Donna Margherita a very good pizzeria, serving also fish dishes. Not very expensive, with high quality.

Il Caminettoone of the best restaurants in the center of Salerno in terms of quality, you can get local fish specialties or a very good pizza, and the price is minimal. Great for families.

Il Brigante serves mainly vegetable-based dishes. If you want to try local food, try the polpo! The food is basic but good and prices are low.